Adherence, Adhesion
These words were once interchangeable, but are now distinct. Adhesion
relates to physical bodies; adherence to mental states.
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Adopt, Take
"What course will you take?" is better than "What course will you
adopt?"
Affect, Effect
These words are sometimes confounded. "The climate affected their
health." "They sailed away without effecting their purpose."
Aggravate, Exasperate
To aggravate means to intensify, to make worse; to exasperate means to
provoke, to irritate. "To aggravate the horrors of the scene." "His
remarks exasperated me." "His conduct aggravates me" should be "His
conduct annoys (or displeases, or irritates, or exasperates) me."
Alleviate, Relieve
These words differ chiefly in degree. The latter is the stronger word.
Proposal, Proposition
A proposition implies consideration or discussion; a proposal
contemplates acceptance or rejection. "Your proposition to build our
new warehouse has received favorable consideration, and we are ready
to receive your proposals.
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